The latest on California politics and government

November 11, 2010

Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn announced today that she will not run in a special election to fill the seat vacated by late Democratic Sen. Jenny Oropeza.

"Right now, I want to focus on my current job as City Councilmember," Hahn said in a statement e-mailed to reporters. "I love my job and think that at this point, Los Angeles is where I can be most effective."

The Los Angeles Democrat, who lost a primary bid for lieutenant governor, was rumored to be considering a run for the 28th Senate District. Instead, she has endorsed Assemblyman Ted Lieu, saying the termed-out Torrance Democrat is "poised and ready to do a great job if he is elected."

"Ted has already assured me that he stands ready to help with the important airport and port issues that I plan on focusing on," she said in the statement.

Lieu is the only Democrat so far to announce his candidacy, though Democratic Assemblyman Warren Furutani, D-Gardena, said earlier this week that he is "absolutely" considering throwing his hat in the ring.

"We're looking at it to make sure it's going to be workable and doable," he said in a voice-mail message.

John Stammreich, the Republican on the Nov. 2 ballot, has reportedly decided not to run.

Oropeza, who died unexpectedly last month, remained on the Nov. 2 ballot and handily won re-election in the strong Democratic district. A special election to fill the seat will be called when legislators are sworn in next month. The election, which will be held early next year, will be conducted using the top two primary system approved by voters this year. Under the new system, if no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will advance to a run-off election.